Aspire
Access to Work
Access to Work
At Autism West Midlands, we don’t just help people who are looking for a job. We also offer support and advice to people who are already in employment or have recently found a job. If you have autism or Asperger syndrome and are currently employed or about to start a new job, one of our mployment Supporters can provide you and your colleagues with ongoing support in the workplace. This service is free and funded by Access to Work, programme developed by the Department for Work and Pensions providing support in overcoming obstacles in the workplace resulting from your autism or Asperger syndrome.
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Although we cannot do it for you, we can advise you with your application to Access to Work. Once your application has been agreed and you have received your funding, we can start to offer our support.
How will we help?
As Employment Supporters, we promise to: •• Visit you regularly in your workplace •• Help your understand your autism or Asperger syndrome •• Help other people understand your autism or Asperger syndrome including your manager and colleagues, •• Offer autism training to large groups within your organisation •• Assess your workplace and advise on any reasonable adjustments to help you •• Provide practical solutions •• Help you build relationships with your colleagues •• Offer ways to view situations differently.
Why choose us?
Across the West Midlands, we are the only autism specific provider of support through the Access to Work programme. We have over ten years experience of working with the Jobcentre and employers to help people with Asperger syndrome achieve their work goals. Taking a person-centred approach, we embrace special interests, adapt to needs and support the individual goals of our service users. Over 75% of attendees on our employment programmes have a positive outcome and we aim to maintain this standard to create a positive working environment for people with Asperger syndrome in employment or starting a new job.
I have had numerous attempts at very unsuccessful support and have spent years of not understanding what was happening to me and how a very intelligent woman can fail at such “simple” things and why. Your understanding and support has had a dramatic effect for me. I can’t really put it into words but thank you is the closest. I understand it is what you are there for but it’s my way of saying that you are good at your job in a world where so many people aren’t. Sonya Homer Supported by Aspire through Access to Work
Access to Work - Employers
If your company employs or has recently hired an individual with autism or Asperger syndrome, Autism West Midlands can help you. With our knowledge of autism and employment, we can offer advice and support to ensure that any obstacles in the workplace caused by your employee’s condition can be minimised to create a healthy, professional working environment for everyone. For you and your employees, we will provide autism training to promote an understanding and awareness of autism to show how it may affect your employee’s work performance and offer ways of viewing certain situations differently. For your employee with autism or Asperger syndrome, we can suggest and advise on adjustments to be made to the workplace or equipment to guarantee that you are creating an environment in which they can work to the best of their ability.
About Access to Work
Access to Work is a service that is funded by the government and provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The programme offers help to those whose work performance could be affected by health issues or disabilities. Once your employee has completed their application for Access to Work and their funding has been accepted, an Employment Supporter will start to provide the support and advice to you and your colleagues.
How to apply:
Contact Aspire at Autism West Midlands •• By email: aspire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk •• By phone: 01214507582 We will talk you through the process and get you started.
About Autism West Midlands
There are more than half a million people in the UK living with autism, an invisible, misunderstood and lonely disability. 60,000 live in the West Midlands. We are the leading charity in the West Midlands for people affected by autism. We exist to enable all people with autism and those who love and care for them to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. Our passionate, expert staff and volunteers work across all age groups and abilities, providing direct support to people affected by autism.
About Aspire
Aspire is a specialist advice service to help people with Asperger syndrome into employment. We have more than 10 years experience working with Job Centres, employers and people with Asperger syndrome. We adopt a person centred approach, embrace special interests and adapt to needs. We have supported people in work goals that have included everything from Administration to Zoo Keeping!
Contact us
Aspire Autism West Midlands Regent Court George Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 1NU Email: hello@autismwestmidlands.org.uk Telephone: 0121 450 7582 Website: www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk
Find us on Facebook: Search “Autism West Midlands�
Follow us on Twitter: @autismwestmids Our vision is a world where all people on the autism spectrum have the specialist care and support they need to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.
Registered Charity Number: 517077 Registered Company Number: 1953344 (England and Wales)